Can MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Be Detected from A Blood Sample?
Fatigue is a common symptom that I have been experiencing lately. I display some symptoms of MS, but I’m not certain if I have it. I informed my physician that I have been experiencing fatigue, but he attributes that to me being overweight. I’m a 20-year old, White-Male, about 5′7 and 220 Pounds. The Doctor told me this is likely what is causing my fatigue. It feels like I have a mental fatigue though — not physical. My Doctor took a blood sample to check my cholesterol levels and check my ‘thyroid’. Can MS be traced in the blood sample?
Do you think I’m overreacting? Perhaps it is my weight and not MS. Or maybe it is due to the summer heat and lack of water intake. Or maybe I’m just not stimulating my mind enough. Any suggestions or thoughts? It would be great if I could have some medical insight to this.
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Filed under Multiple Sclerosis General on Jun 27th, 2009. Comment. 
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Comments on Can MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Be Detected from A Blood Sample?
MS can not be diagnosed with a simple blood test. Fatigue is common to many disorders, thyroid being one of the most common. Let your doctor do his thing, wait until the tests come back before jumping to an incurable conclusion…….
MS is diagnosed by a combination of examinations/tests. A blood test is not one of them.
MS is usually a clinical diagnosis that is confirmed with imaging findings- MRI of the Brain. In addition- CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) is also examined. this is done through a lumbar puncture procedure.
Your weight is a key medical issue for you, even if it turns out not to be the cause of your fatigue. At 5′7″ and 220 pounds you BMI is around 35. Obesity is defined as a BMI of >30. It puts you at very high risk for many health problems, including physical fatigue from the wear and tear your lower back and legs take from carrying more weight.
Is there a reason you think you have MS other than fatigue? Fatigue is a symptom of a multitude of health problems. With MS you are physically fatigued. Fatigue is one of the most frequent complaints. MS mental changes include decreased concentration, attention deficits, some degree of memory loss, inability to perform sequential tasks, or impairment in judgment.
It takes months to confirm a diagnosis and rule out other causes. Tests are done to look for MS and to rule out other possible causes. Some diagnostic tests used are:
Blood work – look for Vitamin B12 deficiency and Lyme disease markers
MRI scans with intravenous gadolinium – identify and date lesions (plaques) in the brain. Newer lesions show up brighter.
Evoked potentials – hearing, vision, and motor impulses are tested to see if they move normally or too slow.
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) – cerebro-spinal fluid is tested to identify cells that suggest MS. Can also be used to differentiate from Lyme disease.